Ja Morant delivered a poignant message after the Grizzlies faced a jaw-dropping loss to the Thunder in their playoff opener. The magnitude of Memphis’ 51-point defeat marks the worst playoff loss in franchise history, a statistic that surely stings. Morant’s declaration that this kind of performance would “never happen again” speaks volumes, not just about his mindset, but also about the expectations surrounding this burgeoning star and the team.
The Grizzlies are eager to push this setback to the back of their minds, yet this loss will linger in the memories of both players and fans alike for quite some time. It wasn’t just a tough game; it was a historic low, as ESPN Research noted it stands as the fifth-largest margin of defeat in NBA playoff history. The gravity of such a lopsided affair hasn’t been seen since 2015, when the Bulls obliterated the Bucks by a staggering 54 points.
Despite the harsh reality of the scoreboard, Memphis players took a measured approach when addressing the media. Desmond Bane emphasized the importance of perspective, reminding everyone that they have plenty of basketball left to play. “At the end of the day, it’s one game,” he said, aptly capturing the essence of playoff mentality. “If we lose by 50 or lose on a buzzer-beater, the series is still 1-0. Not the result we wanted, for sure, but still got a good opportunity to get one on the road in two days.”
That’s the spirit the Grizzlies need moving forward. While the sting of this loss is fresh, the chance for redemption lies ahead. After all, a series isn’t won in just one game, and Memphis has every opportunity to bounce back and reclaim their identity on the floor. With an uphill battle in front of them, it will be interesting to see if they can take the lessons learned from this defeat and turn them into fuel for a comeback. Oklahoma City led by a whopping 56 points and even rested their starters in the fourth quarter—a glaring testament to the dominance they exhibited. But for Morant and the Grizzlies, the path forward is clear: it’s time to regroup and fight back with everything they’ve got.
